Maintain Spell (VH)

Special 
This spell is cast on one of the caster’s ongoing spells, providing it a pool of energy to maintain itself. Once Maintain Spell has been cast, the subject spell draws its maintenance energy from Maintain Spell. It no longer belongs to its original caster; it no longer counts as a spell “on,” may not be cancelled, etc. Maintain Spell may be cast any time the subject spell is active. Some maintained spells may be “programmed” as per Independence or perhaps even Initiative) (GM’s discretion). Control of a spell operating under Maintain Spell can be stolen using Steal Spell (VH).

Duration: Until the energy pool is drained or the underlying spell lapses. 
Cost: Equal to the normal maintenance of the subject spell for as long as the caster wants it to last (including the caster’s cost reductions for high skill). Thus, a spell that costs 1 per minute to maintain could be set to maintain itself for 10 minutes at a cost of 10 energy. 
If the caster can maintain the spell indefinitely for no energy cost (due to high skill), the cost is 1 energy for every five full duration periods. Thus, a mage with Earthquake at skill 20 could set the spell to last 30 minutes for 6 energy. High skill with this spell likewise reduces cost normally! 
Time to cast: 2 seconds, plus “programming time” if necessary. 
Prerequisite: Advantages and Disadvantages/Modifiers - Enhancements & Limitations/Enhancements/Link.